Diet. hypostomus plecostomus is named for its sucker-like mouth, which allows it to adhere to a surface, as well as to hold and rasp at food This omnivorous species feeds on algae, aquatic plants, and small crustaceans.
What do sucker fish eat?
Suckerfish Food Your suckerfish is an omnivore who will scrounge around the tank for food left behind by other fish and may nibble on the live plants. Give him supplemental algae wafers or shrimp pellets Provide fresh lettuce, cucumber, zucchini, broccoli, sweet potato, breadfruit and melon.
Why do plecos gulp air?
Air Gulping Many species of plecostomus, including the common varieties can gulp air to gain better control of their buoyancy In oxygen-poor environments, they may use some of the oxygen for respiration as well.
How many algae wafers should I feed my pleco?
Offer at least one algae wafer per day Give your pleco an algae wafer at night before you go to bed, as plecos are nocturnal and eat at nighttime. If the wafer has been completely consumed by the time you wake up, you can offer another algae wafer to your pleco in the morning.
How big will sucker fish get?
Sucker fish can grow to be up to about 3 feet (1 meter) long Most species are between 1 to 2 feet. The largest species of sucker fish is the bigmouth buffalo, which can reach a maximum of 79 pounds (36 kg). An example of a smaller sucker species would be the blue sucker, which has an average mass of 5.5 pounds.
Can plecos breathe out of water?
Plecos can live up to 30 hours outside water if they store enough oxygen in their bellies — this is why plecos are sometimes seen gulping air at the water’s surface.
Why does my pleco hide all the time?
Hiding is a natural defensive response for many fish. It’s possible that your pleco is feeling threatened by the filter, so it’s hiding behind it to feel safer If you can’t see your pleco at all, it may be hiding in the substrate or in the plants.
How often should you feed a pleco?
While Plecos do eat detritus and algae, it will still need its diet supplemented. Feed your Pleco every day or every other day with Pleco-specific food. One to two times per week, feed your Pleco pieces of cucumber, zucchini, or lettuce (not iceberg).
Can a plecostomus blink?
Plecos do not have eyelids, but they can roll their eyes to the back of there heads, giving the empression that the fish is blinking.
How can you tell if a pleco is male or female?
The body shape of a pleco can help a fishkeeper determine the fish’s sex. This works best from a top view. Females generally have a more rounded body, while males are generally skinnier When viewed from the side, females have a more rounded abdomen, which is longer in relation to the rest of the body.
Does my pleco need driftwood?
Plecos are known to feed on driftwood in minimal amounts. Driftwood consists of nutrients that help in the digestion process of Plecos. However, where driftwood can certainly help in enhancing the health of a Pleco, it is not really a need or necessity.
How long does it take for a pleco to reach full size?
It takes about five years for a common pleco to grow to its full size. A common pleco typically grows 3-5 inches in its first year. After that, its growth rate will slow down until it attains its full size of 20-25 inches.
What do plecos need in a tank?
- Algae and sinking algae wafers.
- Plecos require plenty of fiber
- Some plecos require driftwood as part of their diet, supplying them with cellulose and lignin.
- More carnivorous species need higher-protein foods such as bloodworms, shrimp pellets, krill or brine shrimp.
How long can a pleco live without a filter?
A fish live without a filter for a maximum of seven days and a minimum of three days A filter helps clean the water over and over again, so the toxins in it don’t settle down.
How long can a pleco live without food?
Bristlenose plecos can go 14 days without food. These bottom-dwelling fish are very hardy and can survive quite long without eating anything. However, going that long without food can result in growth stunts, stress, and illnesses. Bristlenose plecos may starve because their owners don’t feed them.
How long can a pleco stay in a bag?
Some say that fish can last 9 or 10 hours in a bag (or even a day or two in some cases). However, it’s best for you and your fish if you stick to leaving your fish in the bag for 5 to 7 hours. A lot of fish can stay alive without oxygen for 2 days in shallow water.
Do plecos have teeth?
Plecos do have teeth These teeth are quite strong because they are designed to scrape food pieces and plants off the surface of rocks. The teeth of some plecos are so rough, you cannot keep them in acrylic tanks because they will scratch up the surface of your tank. Plecos are however very unlikely to bite.
Do plecos like sand or gravel?
The ideal substrate for plecos is fine gravel or soft sand because it will allow the pleco to filter through the substrate to find food. The tank should be densely planted, especially with broad-leafed species like Java Fern and Anubias, to ensure that the pleco can feed on algae growing on the surface of the leaves.
How do I know if my pleco is healthy?
A healthy pleco should have a nice rounded belly A pleco with a hollow looking stomach is sick or starving! Myth #3: “Plecos will only grow as large as your tank lets them. A 10 gallon is just fine.”.
Are plecos more active at night?
For the most part, these plecos are calm and solitary. They are much more active at night During the day, they’ll keep to themselves at the bottom of the tank. All that said, they are prone to some light aggression whenever another fish encroaches on their territory.
Will a pleco keep my tank clean?
No, plecos don’t really clean your tank Many people assume that because plecos are bottom-dwelling catfish, they will clean the tank. However, plecos only occasionally eat algae and may prevent algae blooms, but they can’t clean or scrape algae entirely from the tank.
Can I have 2 plecos in the same tank?
“No” to Multiple Plecos Together They often do wonderfully alongside other types of community freshwater fish. When plecos reach maturity, they simply cannot get along with fellow plecos. They can be highly territorial around each other. Therefore, it can be extremely dangerous ever to house them together.
Can you overfeed a pleco?
Plecostomus fish are very easy to read. If they are overeating, when they use the bathroom, their feces will come out as a thin black stream that stays attached to their bodies.
Will pleco eat carrots?
Veggies. Bristlenose plecos can also benefit from supplemental feedings of vegetables. Grocery store veggies like spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, peas, carrots and green beans are suitable pleco foods Some of them, like zucchini and carrots, work better when blanched first.
What do rubber lips eat?
Rubber Lip Pleco Diet & Food In the wild, rubber lip pleco diets consist almost entirely of algae This is sustainable because of the combination of their behavior and the nutritional makeup of the algae they eat. But in captivity, you can’t rely on aquarium algae alone.
What is a rubber lip?
The Rubber Lip Pleco (Chaetostoma milesi) is a type of Pleco that is native to South America It is part of the largest family of armored suckermouth catfish, the Chaetostoma genus.
Why is my black pleco turning white?
If your pleco is turning white, it means that it could be dying and needs your immediate attention. The most common reasons a pleco will turn white are poor nutrition, stress, disease, or inadequate tank conditions.
Are rubber lip plecos aggressive?
Tankmates. Rubber Lipped plecos are peaceful fish and don’t appreciate aggressive tankmates who hassle them. So, overall, these fish make a great addition to a harmonious community aquarium.
Sources
https://animals.mom.com/care-suckerfish-11356.html
https://www.fishkeepingworld.com/sucker-fish/
https://www.thesprucepets.com/suckermouth-catfish-species-profile-5079535